Tsunami warning issued for Hawaii after 8.2 magnitude earthquake hits Alaska

A tsunami warning has been issued for Hawaii after a strong earthquake off the coast of the Alaska peninsula.

Parts of Alaska are also under threat, according to the US National Tsunami Warning Center.

According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) listed the magnitude of the earthquake as 8.1 and said “an investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawaii.”

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake was magnitude 8.2 and hit 56 miles (91 kilometres) southeast of Perryville, Alaska at around 8.15pm.

The quake was about 29 miles below the surface of the ocean, according to the USGS.

Two other earthquakes with preliminary magnitudes of 6.2 and 5.6 occurred in the same area within a half hour of the first one, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

“Based on all available data a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicenter,” the PTWC said.

According to the preliminary seismic data, the quake should have been widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicenter. It might have caused light to moderate damage.

Moderate shaking probably occurred in Perryville, Chignik Lake and Sandpoint.